My Philosophy of Counseling

In military mental health, treatment is often brief, solution-focused, and reliant on strategies like cognitive-behavioral techniques to remain present and help the client develop tangible coping strategies. After eleven years in this system, my philosophy is, at the foundation, cognitive-based and focused on the present. Through training during internship, however, I learned and practiced a variety of modalities which helped me understand that an eclectic approach is perhaps the most beneficial way to provide individualized care to clients.

Client’s personalities, circumstances, and presenting problems are as diverse as there are strategies for treatment; therefore, treatment should not focus on one structure. It can be just as important to work within a client’s past, and often working through painful, past experiences promotes healing.

I work with the client to create a unique, intentional plan that includes strategies like cognitive-focused, person-centered, psychodynamic, humanistic and emotional-focused. This plan may, in one session, focus on REBT strategies and in the next session rely on narrative therapy or family systems-approach to mitigate the same symptom.

Besides integrating theories and techniques to provide quality care, I believe counseling is a form of service. I served in the church growing up, then the military, and now continue serving my community by helping clients access affordable mental health care and improve their wellbeing.